v Dunstable Town

[Reading Rebel]

Once the goals went in we seemed to lose our heads and as a result we lost our shape and discipline.

 

The first goal was similar to a few goals of late where a player was allowed to run unchallenged through midfield resulting in a goal.

 

Once we were down to ten men, I thought we battled really well to keep the score down.

 

I thought Rummy was by far our best player, leading the way with his battling qualities.

[Rebel Sue]

Good god your right we actually agree

 

Yes sorry about the spelling Jake x

[Reading Rebel]

You won't believe it ,Sue but I agree with you.Although I thought his name is Jake !

 

While no Slough fan can be happy with yesterday's team performance,I do feel we were a touch unlucky in how the game panned out.

Initially I thought Slough started well but conceded a soft goal by not getting tight to the Dunstable No 9 [inih Effione].

We were then unlucky to lose Billy Jeffery's to what looks like a bad knee injury and then Jamie McClurg picks up a knock and while McClurg is hobbling,Dunstable scored their second,and three minutes into stoppage time for the first half,Effione hits a wonder strike which looked virtually unstoppable.

 

Have to say I thought Tom Moran was outstanding and rarely have I been so impressed by the agility of such a tall centre half.For me,he could play a number of positions in our team and needs to be a regular in our starting 16.

While I don't say he is better than any of the centre halves we do have,his ability to move out from the back with the ball has to be utilised.

I would go as far as saying he could do a very good job as a holding midfielder.

 

I also think we should look to get Adam Cash back on loan,as an option on the left to Dobbo or Ryan Parsons.

 

As said at start, Jake Parsons was my man of the match for sheer hard work and a never say die attitude.Also thought Sean Fraser did well,too.

 

Dunstable won fair and square but I didn't think they were anything other than a mid table team.

 

On our current form,we will struggle to hold our position in mid table,as I feel a few of our players are struggling to get over injuries or make an impact to Premier Division standards, and so this is hampering the way we play and the team in general.

 

However,I don't want to sound harsh as I'm not expecting miracles in our maiden season in this higher division.    

 

 

Agree with you that we were slightly unfortunate in losing Jeffers and Clurgy. Also agree that Dunstable only looked an average mid table team.

 

Not sure our left side is a bigger priority than central midfield.

 

Disagree with your point on some of the players struggling to make an impact in the Premier Division. 

 

We are almost half way through the season and we are mid table and only recently we were up to 8th. Based on that I'd say our players have coped very well with the standard of the Premier Division.

 

I think it's simply that we've hit a poor run of form, which a lot of teams do at some time. 

[3spirit]

Agree with you that we were slightly unfortunate in losing Jeffers and Clurgy. Also agree that Dunstable only looked an average mid table team.

 

Not sure our left side is a bigger priority than central midfield.

 

Disagree with your point on some of the players struggling to make an impact in the Premier Division. 

 

We are almost half way through the season and we are mid table and only recently we were up to 8th. Based on that I'd say our players have coped very well with the standard of the Premier Division.

 

I think it's simply that we've hit a poor run of form, which a lot of teams do at some time. 

 

There's no disputing Slough have done well so far in the Premier Division.

 

Any reasonable,logical Slough fans know that Bakes and Unders are doing a fine job since their appointment.

 

All seasons, whatever division you are in,has ups and downs.

 

Currently Slough have hit a blip which has come after an unbeaten run[although the run hasn't been that convincing with draws,and the defeat in the Trophy] and are now struggling to impose their game onto opposing teams to get the result.

I have every confidence that our managers will turn it around.

 

Looking from the outside in, and with the luxury of hindsight,there are a number of factors why this could be so. Perhaps we let George Short go a tad early and Adam Cornell/Darryl Thomas,the fourth striker option.Though,I'm not convinced these matter much.

 

From my view,I feel Luke Knight,Dobbo and Adrian Sear are struggling to get over their injuries and that they haven't got 90 minute match fitness yet.

Adrian looks a better sub currently [though I'd lean towards him starting against St Neots on Tuesday,being it's his old club].

 

Dobbo, we have to realise is now is having to play on winter pitches,which makes running with the ball difficult and thus slows the ball down.He isn't back to where he was, before he got that injury, and because of this is getting frustrated and keeps getting needless yellow cards. 

 

Knighty,for me is the one struggling most.Yesterday he had plenty of huff and puff /hustle and bustle but hardly touched the ball !

 

I know Luke Knight is a good player.The managers know Luke Knight is a good player otherwise they wouldn't have persevered with him for so long but I think he's going to need to play a hell a lot better than he has done in a Slough shirt,to be worth a place in the team in my opinion.

 

I also think Rummy hasn't quite hit the heights in this spell,as he did when he made such an impact last season in the Central division but perhaps that's just because we're playing at a higher level and he's adjusting to the pace, from playing in the USA game where it may be somewhat diifferent.

Having said that he is getting better with every game and of course it takes time to bed in with new players etc

 

It's certainly not all doom and gloom.We don't need wholesale changes.Just the odd tinkering/change to adapt our play and enhance the dynamics of the team.Hence why I mentioned Adam Cash.A relatively cheap option,being a loan signing and a good young player to boot[not literally-ha ha].  .   

[3spirit]

Sorry for the long post.The way I'm going I need a page for myself ! ha ha! I need to get a life !

[Manor Park Rebel]

Don't see any need to worry too much at the moment. I was surprised by the sudden transformation in approach and attitude after we had gone to ten. If only we could bottle that and apply it more often although I suppose Dunstable had probably clocked off a bit early with the game pretty much won by half time.

 

I agree that our management have done a very good job over the first half of the season and long may it continue.

[Reading Rebel]

There's no disputing Slough have done well so far in the Premier Division.

 

Any reasonable,logical Slough fans know that Bakes and Unders are doing a fine job since their appointment.

 

All seasons, whatever division you are in,has ups and downs.

 

Currently Slough have hit a blip which has come after an unbeaten run[although the run hasn't been that convincing with draws,and the defeat in the Trophy] and are now struggling to impose their game onto opposing teams to get the result.

I have every confidence that our managers will turn it around.

 

Looking from the outside in, and with the luxury of hindsight,there are a number of factors why this could be so. Perhaps we let George Short go a tad early and Adam Cornell/Darryl Thomas,the fourth striker option.Though,I'm not convinced these matter much.

 

From my view,I feel Luke Knight,Dobbo and Adrian Sear are struggling to get over their injuries and that they haven't got 90 minute match fitness yet.

Adrian looks a better sub currently [though I'd lean towards him starting against St Neots on Tuesday,being it's his old club].

 

Dobbo, we have to realise is now is having to play on winter pitches,which makes running with the ball difficult and thus slows the ball down.He isn't back to where he was, before he got that injury, and because of this is getting frustrated and keeps getting needless yellow cards. 

 

Knighty,for me is the one struggling most.Yesterday he had plenty of huff and puff /hustle and bustle but hardly touched the ball !

 

I know Luke Knight is a good player.The managers know Luke Knight is a good player otherwise they wouldn't have persevered with him for so long but I think he's going to need to play a hell a lot better than he has done in a Slough shirt,to be worth a place in the team in my opinion.

 

I also think Rummy hasn't quite hit the heights in this spell,as he did when he made such an impact last season in the Central division but perhaps that's just because we're playing at a higher level and he's adjusting to the pace, from playing in the USA game where it may be somewhat diifferent.

Having said that he is getting better with every game and of course it takes time to bed in with new players etc

 

It's certainly not all doom and gloom.We don't need wholesale changes.Just the odd tinkering/change to adapt our play and enhance the dynamics of the team.Hence why I mentioned Adam Cash.A relatively cheap option,being a loan signing and a good young player to boot[not literally-ha ha].  .   

 

 

I really don't see such a problem with our left back position to warrant bringing in another left back/left sided player.

 

We only saw Adam Cash for one game and he did OK.

 

IMO if we were thinking of bringing in a player/s it would be more useful to bolster the midfield depending on the extent of Clurgy's injury.

[3spirit]

I really don't see such a problem with our left back position to warrant bringing in another left back/left sided player.

 

We only saw Adam Cash for one game and he did OK.

 

IMO if we were thinking of bringing in a player/s it would be more useful to bolster the midfield depending on the extent of Clurgy's injury.

 

I agree the midfield is an area that isn't functioning well but I believe we can make changes, with the squad we have at our disposal for it to function better,if they are all fit.

 

To me,Adam Cash looked a player with plenty of promise and bundles of energy.He would give us options in how we use Dobbo and Ryan Parsons .It doesn't have to be a direct replacement for either.We can play all three.

 

If anything we need creativity from somewhere in the middle of the park with Adam Cash and Tom Moran,we have a relatively cheap way of bringing in comfortable players on the ball and thus being able to use either Jake Parsons,Dobbo,Johnny Dyer,Ed Smith or Leigh Rumbold to link play behind the front two.Also we then have options to shoot.Bearing in mind we haven't had a decent shot on target for two games!

 

Currently we are finding it hard to supply the front two or get up to support them as we sit too deep.This needs to be addressed. 

[3spirit]

Just one other thing! What do the fans think about our experiment in kicking away from the 'shed end' in the second half?

 

I do not think it has been successful statistically.

 

In the Steve Bateman years,it became apparent that the fans can make a lot of noise and become the twelth man, from the shed end and gee up the players when chasing a result or bringing the subs on ie Ben Abbey,Charlie Mpi,Chris Herron.

 

I think we've lost this advantage by being the other way around.

[Mark44]

Subs under Bateman, you sure Stuart?

[Stuntman Mark]

Just one other thing! What do the fans think about our experiment in kicking away from the 'shed end' in the second half?

 

 

Not a fan really although I think until Saturday we hadn't lost kicking away from the shed end. 

[GarySTFC]

Whilst my preference is strongly towards kicking to the covered end second half, the atmosphere won't be generated so it doesn't make a lot of difference in that respect. Think people are finding it difficult to generate the atmosphere there at the ground regardless.

[3spirit]

Whilst my preference is strongly towards kicking to the covered end second half, the atmosphere won't be generated so it doesn't make a lot of difference in that respect. Think people are finding it difficult to generate the atmosphere there at the ground regardless.

 

Gary,what's the difference between the crowd now and when Steve Bateman was managing? The crowd is the same,isn't it?

 

I understand Bakes and Unders reason for changing,as they thought some fans were getting on the players back and they [the players] were feeling pressurized.

Well that's what I think was the reason?   

 

When we attack the covered end, at least we get a bit of an atmosphere. When we don't,it's like waiting to hear a pin drop! The fans support is so muted.

 

I know Mark44 thinks otherwise but I always thought,that the three that I mentioned,when making a sub appearance,more often than not,enlivened the match late in game albeit for a limited amount of time and the crowd did seem to get behind the players for a late rally.

 

Now,the fan's gee up/goading,seems to fall flat. 

[Reading Rebel]

Gary,what's the difference between the crowd now and when Steve Bateman was managing? The crowd is the same,isn't it?

 

I understand Bakes and Unders reason for changing,as they thought some fans were getting on the players back and they [the players] were feeling pressurized.

Well that's what I think was the reason?   

 

When we attack the covered end, at least we get a bit of an atmosphere. When we don't,it's like waiting to hear a pin drop! The fans support is so muted.

 

I know Mark44 thinks otherwise but I always thought,that the three that I mentioned,when making a sub appearance,more often than not,enlivened the match late in game albeit for a limited amount of time and the crowd did seem to get behind the players for a late rally.

 

Now,the fan's gee up/goading,seems to fall flat. 

 

 

Must admit, I've never heard Bakes or Unders give that as reason for the change of ends.

 

I'm not sure I understand the 'pressurized' bit.

[C'est la vie]

I think the idea was to get some impetus because we were starting games poorly wasn't it?

[Stuntman Mark]

I've spoke to the managers about the change of ends and I'm pretty sure it comes down to one of them being a bit superstitious. I agree it doesn't help the atmosphere and I also agree that it seems to get harder every year we are at SYCOB. It also doesn't help when you go 180 minutes without a corner either!

[GarySTFC]

Gary,what's the difference between the crowd now and when Steve Bateman was managing? The crowd is the same,isn't it?

 

I understand Bakes and Unders reason for changing,as they thought some fans were getting on the players back and they [the players] were feeling pressurized.

Well that's what I think was the reason?   

 

When we attack the covered end, at least we get a bit of an atmosphere. When we don't,it's like waiting to hear a pin drop! The fans support is so muted.

 

I know Mark44 thinks otherwise but I always thought,that the three that I mentioned,when making a sub appearance,more often than not,enlivened the match late in game albeit for a limited amount of time and the crowd did seem to get behind the players for a late rally.

 

Now,the fan's gee up/goading,seems to fall flat. 

 

I think the general consensus is people are tired of the SYCOB ground. There's not been much away support to bounce off, there's not a great deal riding on the matches, there's no younger blood coming through on the terraces and generally it's the same three or four folks which start chants and quite often you'll only have five or ten join in. You end up with something sounding relatively flat and hollow and doesn't inspire further attempts at generating atmosphere. I don't think we have many songs, can't remember the last time we had a song sung about a player (as opposed to a name chant) and we could probably do with that mid-teen to early 20's bracket to not only add mouths to the shouts but probably some enthusiasm too. 

 

For Saturday, it would have made little difference. The game was pretty much over at half time and there wasn't much to shout about. 

[3spirit]

I think the general consensus is people are tired of the SYCOB ground. There's not been much away support to bounce off, there's not a great deal riding on the matches, there's no younger blood coming through on the terraces and generally it's the same three or four folks which start chants and quite often you'll only have five or ten join in. You end up with something sounding relatively flat and hollow and doesn't inspire further attempts at generating atmosphere. I don't think we have many songs, can't remember the last time we had a song sung about a player (as opposed to a name chant) and we could probably do with that mid-teen to early 20's bracket to not only add mouths to the shouts but probably some enthusiasm too. 

 

For Saturday, it would have made little difference. The game was pretty much over at half time and there wasn't much to shout about. 

 

I think the general consensus is people are tired of not being in Slough!

 

As far as ground-sharing goes,you'll never please everyone, no matter where we go.

 

While I understand your points about crowd participation in songs,chants etc,Gary,I think you are underestimating how well the fans shouts/words of encouragement are amplified by just being under the covered end, and how quiet it is when just in the open air.